JP NET and J&P Cleaners Recognized at State House

The Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at UMass Lowell recognized Jamaica Plain New Economy Transition and J&P Cleaners with the "Champions of Toxics Use Reduction" award at a ceremony at the state house last week. Jamaica Plain New Economy Transition received a $20K TURI grant to implement the project: “Cancer-Free New Economy Jamaica Plain: Integrating Toxics Reduction Approaches with Sustainable Community Development.” The Jamaica Plain New Economy Transition worked with retail businesses in Jamaica Plain to pursue toxics use reduction strategies in the areas of cleaning and disinfecting, solvents and pesticide use. The project team developed and promoted municipal policies in Boston and other Massachusetts communities that advance toxics use reduction in dry cleaning and other retail establishments. This effort builds upon last year’s project that established the "Cancer Free New Economy," an initiative that helps businesses transition away from using carcinogens and other toxics to safer alternatives. J&P Cleaners was recognized for switching its dry cleaning operation from using perchloroethylene (perc) to professional wet cleaning with the help of a TURI grant.

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Myra Vargas of J&P Cleaners paused for a photo at Tres Gatos on Wednesday, July 16, 2014.

J&P Cleaners Aims to Be Greenest Local Laundry — With Help From Neighbors

The last time entrepreneur Myra Vargas was pregnant, she had to keep away from her family's dry cleaning business to avoid a chemical that probably causes cancer. And when her children were young, they couldn't spend time at the family place of business. But Vargas is hoping that won't be the case if her niece and coworker, Diana Vargas, decides to have another baby. J&P Cleaners is hoping to become one of the first cleaners in Massachusetts to stop using tetrachloroethylene, better known as perc, and instead use a method called "wet cleaning." "We can be the first.

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Sondheim’s ‘Company’ Begins Run at Footlight Club

Hello neighborhood! Here's your Morning Memo for all things JP for Friday, June 6. New Musical Comedy Begins Friday Night at Footlight Club: The local theater's production of Stephen Sondheim's "Company" starts Friday. Here's a cast video to give you a feel for the play, which offers a series of vignettes about adult themes and relationships. Friday, 8 p.m. at 7A Eliot St.

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